the transition is already under way, and france's new president will take office in just six days‘ time. side by side, the president—elect and the outgoing head of state at a formal ceremony at the arc de triomphe, commemorating the end of the second world war in europe. as france enjoyed a bank holiday, we talked to parents in a parisian suburb about their hopes for the macron presidency. it will be hard for him because i'm sure lots of people vote for him yesterday, but it's almost against marine la pen. also on the programme tonight: no backing down — a conservative government would stick to its target of cutting net migration to the tens of thousands says theresa may. are you worried about ofcom at all? an investigation into rupert murdoch's bid to take

full control of sky — will it be engulfed by allegations of sexual harrassment at fox news? record numbers of migrants have tried to reach europe so far this year. we have a special report on the rescue efforts in the mediterrean. these women look really exhausted. they're coming on one by one. one of the women i see has got a little child with her. and the rivers running dry in the uk before summer has even begun, prompting fears of a drought. and coming up in sportsday on bbc news: chelsea are heading towards the title, but will it cost middlesbrough their premier league status? we will have all the news from sta mford we will have all the news from stamford bridge. good evening from paris, where, in six days‘ time, emmanuel macron will be installed

as president, after his decisive win in yesterday's contest against marine le pen. he's already started work on forming a government, and he's taken calls from world leaders, including theresa may, offering their congratulations. the official result was confirmed earlier today. the centrist mr macron won with 66.1% of the vote, with marine le pen of the front nationale on 33.9%. the turnout was 74% — the lowest in nearly half a century — which means that some 11.5 million people didn't cast a vote. the day brought a highly visible statement that the transfer of power is under way, when the president—elect and the outgoing head of state appeared side by side at a ceremony, here at the arc de triomphe, to commemorate the end of the second world war in europe, 72 years ago today. mr macron declared that the time had come again to fight the forces of division. our europe editor, katya adler, reports on the day's events. it has been a day of reflection in

france, paying tribute to the world war ii fallen. taking stock of fresh challenges ahead. france's brand—new and youngest ever president elect here at ve day commemorations. a little hesitant, a little unsure, taking his cue from the outgoing head of state. it will be a steep learning curve. emmanuel macron is pretty new to politics but the crowds here were hopeful. it's very difficult to put some reforms in france and having someone who is so young will help to change things. translation: we hope he keeps his

promises, politicians normally don't, we want france for the as well as the rich. tonight emmanuel macron‘s fans and foes will be watching this with interest. a fly on the wall documentary filmed during his presidential campaign. this intriguing because france is about to be presided over by a politician known for his chance but whose person, party and policies are pretty much unexplored. what we do know is that he is the europhile, a passionate one, and leading europeans are cock—a—hoop, in understated tones. translation: emmanuel macron carries the hopes of millions in france and across europe. he led a courageous pro—european campaign and stands for openness to the world. emmanuel macron has raised high expectations,

promising many things to many people. to dramatically reform france, caring for the fragile while boosting business, and to change the european union and be very tough on brexit, but he doesn't have his own government or mps in parliament so is he flexing muscles he doesn't yet have? france's president—elect has made brexit threats are plenty. damp and desperate in calais today. after brexit, mr macron has vowed to tear up brexit, mr macron has vowed to tear up an agreement where france prevents thousands of migrants making their way to dover each year. he has talked about tempting banks and businesses from the city of london this side of the channel. but domestic discontent, not press kit, will be his main focus. it is what drew one in three voters to marine

le pen, his far right rival —— not brexit. she is popular here in the pool halls of calais where unemployed youngsters while frustrated days away. in struggling towns like this, there is little faith in elite educated metropolitans faith in elite educated metropolita ns emmanuel macron. faith in elite educated metropolitans emmanuel macron. young people vote for marine le pen because they can't find anyjobs. the unemployment rate is sky—high here in calais unfortunately. translation: there are no jobs and too many migrants. he said almost 60% of calais thudded marine le pen and maybe next time the whole country will be ready. —— voted for marine le pen. that evening in paris there were small but demonstrations against emmanuel macron caused some organised by the trade unions. as a centrist politician, he faces opposition left and right. and only weeks away from crucial elections. despite mr macron‘s

compelling margin of victory, there is nonetheless a real sense, even within the macron team, that his win was secured by people whose main motivation was to vote against marine le pen, rather than a positive desire to see mr macron in power at the elysee. so to find out more, earlier today, i went to one of the parisian suburbs to meet some parents at a juniorfootball tournament in the city. it's the annual bank holiday football tournament in this eastern suburb of paris, a typically diverse community on the outskirts of the capital, and where the reaction on the terraces to yesterday's election seems to be more relief than enthusiasm. i'm sure that lots of people vote for him yesterday, but it's almost against marine le pen, and he's young, and he doesn't have any past... experience?

experience, so it might be difficult for him. but i think he can do it. it is a complex picture, even in a mixed community like this one. one of the coaches — who left his ballot paper blank, by the way — told me that the issue of immigration and social integration raised by le pen had to be taken seriously. translation: it is a big problem, even for established immigrants like me. foreigners coming to france these days just aren't able to integrate. 11 million voters went for le pen. that doesn't mean all of them are racist. and it is abundantly clear that it was fear of a le pen presidency more than anything else that drove many people to vote for a political novice as president. translation: i'm very happy it wasn't le pen, but macron wasn't exactly my choice. as most people will tell you, this election was about voting against le pen, not for macron. there had been talk

on the left of sitting it out, of refusing to take part, and while some certainly did, it didn't change the dynamics of the 2017 race. i have some friends from the left, from the right, and everybody in paris vote for the same man. the first time that, when i have lunch with people, everybody agree to vote for that man. and in this parisian suburb, another element of consensus among the parents. if macron gets it wrong, le pen will be back in five years' time, probably with a very different result. and a flavour of some of the voices earlier today in eastern paris. our europe editor, katya adler, is with me. we have seen the euphoria with the macron team which is understandable but let's talk about the challenges he faces. this was a very divisive

presidential campaign and those divisions don't there's a bit overnight because the election is over. you pointed out that even among those who voted for macron, many did so just to stop his rival. namy has to somehow bring france behind him and the clock is ticking with those all—importa nt behind him and the clock is ticking with those all—important parliament elections coming up and he needs a majority in parliament, a credible government to past the reforms he has promised everybody and if he does not get that and as to build a coalition, will he jump does not get that and as to build a coalition, will hejump into bed with one of the traditional parties he has distanced himself from? he would risk losing the reform credentials before even starting. he will be a powerful voice in the eu and there are challenges ahead, not least the brexit process, so if he likely to make a big impact on it? he has promised to be a hard line but that is france, france is always a tricky negotiator with brexit and thatis a tricky negotiator with brexit and that is a bit of a status quo, at least for the british government. where you can see the positive side for macron with brexit is that the

uk needs eu unity to have a deal and make the future trade deal. macron will put eu unity first, marine le pen would have caused chaos in the eu, she wandered out of the euro and possibly the eu and the eu in disarray would mean no dealfor britain. and for years he was the french minister of the economy tom will not say no to a good trade deal thatis will not say no to a good trade deal that is advantageous for the uk, france and the rest of the eu. thank you. that's all from paris tonight. so in just six days' time france will have a new president in power at a critical moment for the future of this country and for the wider european union. there's more detail and analysis on the bbc news website: that's bbc.co.uk/news but, for now, let'sjoin sophie for the day's other main stories. thank you. here, theresa may has confirmed that the conservatives will stick to their target of reducing net migration to below 100,000 a year if they win the election.

that's despite repeatedly missing that pledge since it was first introduced in 2010. meanwhile, ukip says it wants to have zero net migration over the next five years. here's our political editor, laura kuennsberg. her report contains some flash photography. they couldn't leap to their feet fast enough, gathered to hear their leader in marginal harrow in north london, who joked she is after the same scale of support as the new french leader, who scored nearly 70% of the vote. we need to ensure we've got an equally strong mandate and an equally strong negotiating position. but it was team theresa who, year after year, missed their target for net immigration, which has been three times higher than the limit of 100,000. what is the point of sticking to an immigration target that many of your colleagues think it unworkable, some people even think it is pointless, and when you were in charge as home secretary it was a target that was missed for six years?

we do want to bring net migration down to sustainable levels. we believe that is the tens of thousands. and of course once we leave the european union we will have the opportunity to ensure we have control of our borders here in the uk. so the target stays, but note, you didn't hear a deadline. three cabinet ministers here, why should voters believe the prime minister will meet the immigration target this time? she didn't when she was home secretary for six years. she's made it very clear that once we leave the european union, things change. she will see policies through. but her record as home secretary was she missed the target for six years! she missed it for six years as home secretary. i think if you look at her record as home secretary, you will find that she achieved great things. it wouldn't be a british campaign without a banana somewhere. strong and stable bananas. whatever point this voter in leamington spa was trying to make. labour doesn't put a number on its plans for immigration but says the target

just doesn't work. theresa may made that promise in 2010 and the same promise in 2015 and didn't get anywhere near it on any occasion at all. obviously our manifesto will set out our policy when that's produced. ukip has its own new idea for tighter control. one in, one out. ukip will go into this election with a policy of balanced migration, which means zero net immigration over the next five—year period. scotland's first minister, pulling pints in perth, wants power over immigration in edinburgh. having a tory target that is not practical, will not be met, but is driven by ideology, will harm our economy and it's another reason why it's important that we have mps into this election standing upfor scotland's interests. close by, the lib dems were after votes at st andrews.

the target was tory policy during the coalition and the lib dems are unimpressed today. don't set a silly, artificial target that you know you will breakjust because it will please a couple of newspapers. yet the target will stay. easier to hit in theory after brexit but no explanation from the tories so far on what they will do in practice. we are in rather a no man's land, the time before the main political parties are ready with their final manifestos. it's only then we will see exactly what promises they are willing to make in black and white but it's absolutely clear, however unworkable, however discredited, theresa may is adamant she will stick to her immigration target. but how she plans to get there, we're still in the dark. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, harrow. the most recent figures show that net migration stood atjust over 270,000 last year. many employers here say they rely on workers from the eu and elsewhere.

some business leaders have expressed concern about the government's plans to significantly cut the numbers and say migration should be set according to economic need rather than arbitrary targets. our business editor, simon jack, has more. a growing economy needs a growing number of workers and the eu has been a plentiful supply of them for businesses, like this food producer in northern ireland. the northern ireland agri—food industry is massively reliant on eu nationals to make up their workforce. some 48% of fulltime workers in northern ireland agri—food industry are eu nationals. that number exaserbates when you take into account the casual agriculture labour that comes in seasonally to northern ireland. so the stakes are very high to the agri—food industry in relation to labour. that is precisely why some business groups don't like this target. in its very own manifesto, the cbi said with unemployment at near record lows, this target is unhelpful and should be scrapped.

the risk of a single, blunt number is that it doesn't enable the needs of the economy to be reflected in the people we bring in. so we know we have great ambitions for the country. we know we want to build a million homes. we want time prove the nhs. we want to improve our road and rail system. these are all ambitions that need people. net migration measures the difference between the number of people arriving in the uk and the number of people leaving. according to the latest figures 273,000 more people arrived here than left. of that number, 165,000 more came from the eu than went the other way. while the number arriving from outside the eu was nearly the same at 164,000. so even if you reduce net migration from the eu to zero, that 100,000 target would still be way off. in fact, that target was last hit in 1997. some say that proves that if we've done it before, we can do it again. for decades the uk economy performed perfectly well with net migrations

levels of about 60,000, for example in the 1980s and 1990s. there's no reason we can't do that again. it's actually good for the economy in the long run to cut migration to low skilljobs. at the moment it produces a low skill, loo productivity, —— low productivity, low—wage economy. businesses across many sectors have been re—assured they will be able to get the workers they need. but can you re—assure everyone whilst still cutting net migration by two thirds? that's one reason perhaps why there is no delivery date on a promise first made two elections ago. there's only one thing, it seems, worse than missing an immigration target, and that's not having one at all. simon jack, bbc news. labour has promised to abolish parking charges at nhs hospitals in england, if it wins the election. the party says the policy would cost around £162 million, which it would meet by raising the tax on private health insurance premiums from 12% to 20%. the bbc has announced

details of its general election debate programmes. there'll be two question time specials in which party leaders will face audience questions. the first will involve theresa may and jeremy corbyn. there will also be a seven—way debate with senior party figures and interviews with the main party leaders. you can find information on each of the party's policies, along with detailed analysis of what they mean in practice, that's on a special section of our website. record numbers of migrants have already tried to reach europe from north africa this year. more than 7,000 have been rescued from the mediterranean over the last few days alone. the italian coastguard says as many as 200 may have drowned. most of them have set off from libya, attempting the treacherous crossing in search of a new life in europe. reeta chakrabarti has spent the last week on a rescue ship. shejoins us live from southern italy.

sophie, thank you. the sea is calm 110w sophie, thank you. the sea is calm now that spring has come and that means that the migrant boats have started again and in a big way. over easter weekend, more than 8,000 people were rescued from the mediterranean and this weekend, as you mention there, the numbers have been very similar. now this ship i'm on rescued over 500 people on its own. the charity save the children said it was their biggest such operation so far. those migrant people are now safe on the shore, but the bigger question surrounding this sort of migration and the criminal activity that sustains it continues. seven uneventful days at sea with the rescue mission and then suddenly this: we have two rubber boats possibly one wooden boat. team, please prepare on deck for rescue. a scene, said the crew, like never before.

first two, then three, then as we were spotted, more and yet more boat loads the people veering towards us to rescue and to safety. these women look really exhausted. they're coming on one by one. one of the women i've seen has a little child with her. this toddler named blessing is one of the tiniest travellers. her motherjoy, who's nigerian, said she risked the journey because she couldn't return to her home country. she was working in libya, but she was repeatedly kidnapped and ransomed for money. i asked her what she hoped for from the future. blessing is happily ignorant

of her mother's grief and oblivious to the peril she just faced. still they come, goodness knows how many people were cramped into that rubber dinghy there. they're all processed now, checked — this man clearly in pain. the vast majority on board are men of working age, from west and east africa, and also from asia. there are many factors driving them, but the turmoil in libya is key. these scars, imran told me, were inflicted on him in bangladesh, which is where he's from. he says he was targeted by the local mafia and so left for libya to work as a cook. but he went months unpaid and was beaten if he asked for his wage. he told me he took the rubber boat because libya was dangerous. he had a chance of life if he left.

libya was intolerable, he couldn't do it any more. last year broke records for the number of migrants making the crossing, and this year looks set to top that. italy has borne the weight of housing and caring for them, but opinion is hardening with claims that these rescue missions are a taxi service for migrants and even that the aid agencies are colluding with libyan people smugglers to bring the migrants to europe. our sole mission is to save the lives of people and especially children who are escaping violence, persecution and extreme poverty. we have no contact whatsoever with people smugglers. earlier in the week, a body was spotted. the sea is a graveyard too. the search will go on. this crossing from libya has become an established route run by ruthless criminals who care little whether their desperate passengers will see another day. reeta chakrabarti, bbc news.

a 35—year—old man has been charged following a dog attack on a two—year—old girl in liverpool yesterday. the girl suffered injuries to her head and body, when several dogs got into the garden where she was playing in toxteth. she's in a serious but stable condition in hospital. andrew mcgowan from toxteth, is accused of being in charge of four dogs which were dangerously out of control. the telecoms regulator ofcom has said it's very concerned about the rising cost of telephone calls to directory enquiry services. the four largest providers charge at least £5.50 for a call and one charges nearly £9. campaigners are worried elderly people will be caught out by the high prices. ofcom says it's planning to review the market. a senior official who worked for president obama has said she warned the trump administration that its original choice as national security advisor was open to russian blackmail. giving evidence to a senate committee, the former deputy attorney—general, sally yate, said michael flynn had

lied about his contact with the russian ambassador. he resigned after less than a month. the halifax bank says house prices in the uk fell by 0.2% between february and april, the first quarterly drop for more than four years. the lender says household finances are being squeezed by rising prices in the shops which is weakening the demand for homes. the fox news presenter bill o'reilly has been one of the most famous in america for years, but he stepped down last month, after being accused of sexual harrassment by a number of women. now one of them has flown to london to block rupert murdoch — who owns fox — from taking full control of sky. today she met with the media regulator ofcom, which is investigating whether murdoch's company 21st century fox would be fit and proper to take full control of sky. here's our media editor, amol rajan. caution, you are about to enter the

no—spin zone... this anchor, bill o'reilly, and the network's former boss are at the centre of sexual and racial harassment claims that have led to their departure from fox news. also gone is the co—president. arguably, the three most important men at fox are out. this huge corporate scandal has shaken it to the core. for the threats we face today. over two decades, a mixture of conspiracy, aggression and nationalism has made rupert murdoch's channel the most watched cable news network in america. for the murdochs, the timing couldn't be worse. they're currently trying to take full control of the british broadcaster sky through an acquisition by 21st century fox. they declined an interview request, so i said hello to the boss as he left work in manhattan. are you worried about ofcom at all? no. you should be worried about the bbc as well. fox news is getting record ratings, so i'm not worried at all.

you don't think ofcom will consider what is happening at fox news? nothing is happening at fox news. nothing. you have lost three of your top people, that is something, isn't it? there is a sexual and racial harassment accusation. there's no third person at all. nothing against him. and the other two are quite separate. the harassment scandal at fox news is the talk of manhattan and it might onlyjust be beginning. federal investigators are looking at whether fox concealed payments to alleged victims from investors. and the worry for rupert murdoch and his family is that the echoes of the phone hacking scandal are getting louder by the day. lawyer douglas wigdall is representing over 20 of the victims of harassment. he wrote to ofcom with details of the claim and is meeting with them on thursday to provide background on the allegations against the likes of o'reilly. they have let him stay for over a decade because he was making fox a lot of money. so i am not confident that they terminated bill o'reilly

and gave him $20 million on the way out just because they are not confident that the other moves they have made have been done because they want to create change. i think they are doing these things because they have lost advertisers and they want to appease ofcom. i experienced sexual harassment as a job applicant at fox news channel by an employee named mr bill o'reilly. radio host wendy walsh seen with her lawyer lisa bloom filed a complaint against mr o'reilly by phone, only in america would they do it this way. mr o'reilly and former fox news boss roger ailes denied all allegations against them. the two women flew from los angeles to london today to specifically to explain to ofcom why in their view the murdochs are not fit and proper to own sky outright. i hope that the good people of the uk no how openly 21st century fox has ignored the laws protecting women's rights and the right of people of colour.

that's not right. i know that women's rights are valued here, and i hope that everybody will stand up for them. 21st century fox, parent to fox news, says it has taken prompt and decisive action to improve its workplace, overhauling top management and appointing women to several senior positions. with pottable investigation is now under way, including a federal probe, mr murdoch's claim that nothing is going at fox news sounds like what some fox contributors would call fake news. amol rajan, bbc news. this photograph was taken at the weekend in cumbria. a river that's already run dry. it's a rare sight at this time of year. but it's because large parts of the uk simply haven't had much rain over the winter. this met office map shows the rain across the uk last month. the darkest areas are those that have had less than a third of the usual rainfall. danny savage reports from the yorkshire dales. across large parts of britain at the moment there is a lack of water. a dry spring, preceded

by low winter rainfall, has left many riverbeds exposed. this wouldn't be an unusual, widespread sight in late summer but it's rare in may. when i had a ride around up there on friday, you get a lot of small ponds and wet holes that are usually there all year round. they're all dried out, they're absolutely bone dry, there's nothing at all in the bottom of them. stuart herd has farmed here all his life. the riverbed drying up is not unheard of but he's noticed the hillside springs aren't right. you can tell that it's been a lot drier because we're actually noticing sheep that have come down to parts of the river where the water is still running, noticing sheep standing